Back once again in Fiji, jewel of the pacific. and i have to say its absolutely stunning as always. Im based for the next 6 weeks on Drawaqa island, aka
Barefoot island in the Yasawa chain of islands. over the nest coming weeks i will be helping prune the trees and palms,planting lots, outlining the safety for the abseiling station and doing a lot of scuba diving. This island is a marine sanctuary and has coral reef like I've never seen before, its a whole multicoloured world just teeming with life. I find the similarities to the arboreal world unreal, each type of coral is unique, many have tree like shapes and all house their own specific species of coral life. sound similar to trees? Its a also a world that is unseen by most- tree climbers/arborists see the canopies and scuba divers/freediver's so the depths. It is indeed a privilege to delve into this world, both worlds, as both a scuba diver and tree climber. Could i swap one for the other? no chance, both compliment each other, they take a level of skill to do safely, a calm head to enjoy them and despite being similar are also opposite for obvious reasons. I also have to acknowledge how much a back seat my climbing has to take on such an island but wherever i look i see the glorious coral just metres away.
Im looking forward over the new year to learning more about the coral reef, looking after the clams, reintroducing some hawksbill turtles we have been given, getting attuned to island life:its has its pros and cons- nothing can be wasted, you have to be resourceful, if you run out of something thats it, you've run out, and getting used to a slower way of life but also seeing the demands and strains that tourism puts on a small community of staff. seeing behind the scenes definitely changes your ideals of tourism. When the island has no freshwater and relies on a desalination plant-stress levels rise when it stops working!!! but you learn to stop, make a plan and fix the problem, stomping your feet about it will not help.
But anyway, its time for a swim and then a cold beer. Vinaka :)
